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Being an environmental activist and philanthropist, Leonardo DiCaprio often donates money to organizations that fight for animal rights. Therefore, it’s not surprising that he has recently given $3 million to ocean conservation group Oceana. But, what’s even better, Leo is not the only celebrity who uses his influence and wealth to support animal rights causes. Here are some other famous animal lovers.
Behind the scenes Joaquin is a big fighter for animal rights and a long time dedicated vegan. By backing and narrating the powerful and earth-shattering documentary Earthlings, which has transformed thousands of lives the world over, as well as campaigning alongside PETA for numerous ads addressing issues such as the exotic skin trade and the fishing industry, Joaquin is making a lot of people think twice about their relationship with animals.
Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye are committed environmentalists, with interests that include clean air and water campaigns, marine mammal and wetland protection, and opposing environmentally disruptive projects such as the Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility being proposed off the coast of Malibu. One of Pierce’s environmental passions has been working with the environmental advocacy group the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in their efforts to stop the Navy deployment of sonar systems that have been shown to kill whales, dolphins, seals and other marine mammals.
TV host Ellen DeGeneres supports numerous organizations, and has won many awards for her charitable efforts. She is the co-owner of Halo, Purely for Pets, a pet care company that offers a holistic approach to pet products. Her animal activism has extended to Facebook — in the fall of 2012, the comedian launched a Facebook game called Joy Kingdom where players can choose to donate earned currency to animal charities. Recently, DeGeneres learned about an organization called The Gentle Barn, a home and hospital for animals that have been abused. On her website, she urges her viewers to donate.
Actor, environmentalist and animal advocate, Woody Harrelson works tirelessly to put an end to animal cruelty. Inspired by a scuba diving trip, the actor became a vegetarian. He campaigned for the release of 14 chimpanzees from the research lab where they had been involved in experiments. These chimps had been brought to a rehabilitation facility after a long period of being used for research, and have been sent back to the labs. Not only has this Academy Award-winning actor done many actions over the years to help animals, he is also the face behind an innovative company that strives to perfect eco-friendly wood-free paper.
Betty White has been an animal lover for years. She has sat on the board of directors for ‘The Morris Animal Foundation’ for more than 25 years. She is also involved with the spcaLA and the Wildlife Waystation and is a Board Member of Actors and Others for Animals. When asked whether she was a dog person or a cat person, White replied, “I’m everything with a leg on each corner.”
The actor formed the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to help promote pet adoption and support no-kill animal shelters. The organization is currently fundraising to open a sanctuary for homeless pets.
In the fall of 2009, Hilary became ambassador for the annual Iams Home for the Holidays campaign which promotes pet adoption for the holidays. While promoting her movie Amelia, this compassionate animal lover found time in her busy schedule to sit for interviews and record ads encouraging people to visit their local shelters to adopt one of the more than 8 million animals that were awaiting homes. The campaign ran from October 1, 2009 to January 4, 2010 with over 3,900 shelters and rescue organizations in 17 countries participated. Almost 1.4 million animals were adopted as a result of Swank’s passion, enthusiasm and dedication to the welfare of abandoned animals.
Emily regularly speaks out against animal cruelty, raises awareness for factory farming and devotes herself to the vegan lifestyle. Reaching many people with her message, Emily has been honored by Mercy for Animals for all her amazing animal advocacy work.
The actress has teamed up with PETA to lobby against the use of animal fur in fashion. “Once people know that animals are electrocuted, drowned, bludgeoned to death and sometimes skinned alive, they realize fur is disgusting and that there’s nothing luxurious or fashionable about it”, she explained. She also campaigns against inhumane slaughtering of chickens and against animal testing.
This is so nice to know that there are so many nice people helping out homeless pets and animals. It is even better when this people have really great sums of money to donate. Such deeds are not left unseen and thanks to these people many new organizations that protect animal’s rights appear. We need to think of our little brothers for the sake of the well-being of our home –earth.
God bless all these celebrities and anyone and everyone who is an advocate against animal cruelty!